September 29th, 2018

Secrets to Award Winning Middle School Stories from a Contest Insider

For 6-7 Grade Writers

Your middle school students love writing stories, but how can we teachers help them up their narrative game? One approach we’ll take is to look at the handful of winning stories selected from two local middle school writing contests: the Stanford Anthology for Youth and the $1000 for 1000 words contest. What traits do these “mentor texts” – written by 10- to 14-year-olds – share that make them stand apart? And how can we connect our conclusions with the narrative and character work of Lucy Calkins and her Units of Study?

Jay Richards, SJAWP Teacher Consultant, teaches 8th grade at Central Middle School in San Carlos School District.. Jay is also the Editorial Committee Chairman in charge of judging for the local $1000 for 1000 Words fiction contest for grades 6-12 (www.bluefire.org).

Location:

I am grateful for the Saturday Seminar program because it has truly opened my eyes and helped me grow as a person and as a future professional. I can now improve the way students write papers, work with different kinds of students with different needs, learn how to adapt to generational gaps, and facilitate a healthy learning environment.

Rhett Cooksin - Pre-service English teacher

2018-05-09T07:03:11+00:00

Rhett Cooksin - Pre-service English teacher

I am grateful for the Saturday Seminar program because it has truly opened my eyes and helped me grow as a person and as a future professional. I can now improve the way students write papers, work with different kinds of students with …

I have loved the workshop model with live students this year. It has been a great reminder of how much students already know and are capable of doing when given the tools, supports, and mentor texts they need to express their own truths. As I wrap up this school year and prepare for the next, I hope to continue building a more student-centered, authentic classroom through implementation of the methods and model text types for teaching reading and writing I have been exposed to through my experiences with the San Jose Area Writing Project.

Ariel Sarver - Veteran high school English teacher

2018-05-09T07:03:57+00:00

Ariel Sarver - Veteran high school English teacher

I have loved the workshop model with live students this year. It has been a great reminder of how much students already know and are capable of doing when given the tools, supports, and mentor texts they need to express their own truths. …

Here is always singing new songs and expressing new ideas he learned at school.

2017-03-13T11:54:16+00:00

Here is always singing new songs and expressing new ideas he learned at school.

https://sjawp.org/testimonials/positive-impact/

My participation in the Saturday PLC program reinforces my belief that effective teachers must frequently re-examine their pedagogy and continuously explore new ways to reach students. What works well one year may fall flat the next time around, and then it’s time to sign up for the next Super Saturday workshop. Even better. One can reinvigorate one’s own writing and writing instruction by devoting a summer to participating in an Invitational Summer Institute. Sometimes a 25 yr veteran of the classroom is in as much need of inspiration as a newly credentialed teacher.

Mike White - 25 Year veteran High School English teacher

2018-05-09T07:02:30+00:00

Mike White - 25 Year veteran High School English teacher

My participation in the Saturday PLC program reinforces my belief that effective teachers must frequently re-examine their pedagogy and continuously explore new ways to reach students. What works well one year may fall flat the next time around, and then it’s time to …

Every Saturday workshop gives me inspiration and ideas on how to launch writing pieces, engage students in their writing, and more importantly, how I need to change my strategies and teaching techniques to be a positive influence in their writing adventure.

Adam Throm - 4th Year teacher at the elementary level

2018-05-09T07:01:53+00:00

Adam Throm - 4th Year teacher at the elementary level

Every Saturday workshop gives me inspiration and ideas on how to launch writing pieces, engage students in their writing, and more importantly, how I need to change my strategies and teaching techniques to be a positive influence in their writing adventure.